SPEECH BY DR JANIL PUTHUCHEARY, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE BEYOND THE LABEL FESTIVAL, 6 SEPTEMBER 2024

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Ms Jane Ittogi

Clinical Associate Professor Kevin Lim, Vice-President, National Council of Social Service

Ms Theresa Goh, Vice-President, National Council of Social Service

Mr Kwong Kin Mun, Chairman, TOUCH Community Services 

Mr James Fong, CEO, Jewel Changi Airport

Distinguished Guests and Partners of the mental health community

1. Good evening. I am delighted to be here today for the Beyond the Label Festival (BTL Fest) 2024. It is inspiring to see so many of you gathered here with a shared commitment to enhance mental health and wellbeing in Singapore.

2. Mental health continues to be a pressing issue that requires not just whole-of-government to support this, but a whole-of-society effort to address the challenges and deal with the stigma. Last October, we launched the National Mental Health & Well-being Strategy with the vision to build an effective mental health ecosystem in Singapore, one where individuals with mental health needs can seek early support without stigma and receive help for their journey to recovery.

3. A cornerstone of this strategy includes building upon efforts to normalise conversations on mental health, to improve mental health literacy and to reduce stigma. The BTL movement is one such example of an effort like this. Recognising a need to promote the social inclusion of persons with mental health conditions, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) launched the nationwide BTL campaign in 2018, and started the BTL Collective four years later. Co-led by NCSS and TOUCH, the BTL Collective brings together 34 partners, across the public, private, and community sectors with the aim to reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions. 

4. We have found that, over the last year, individuals who engaged in BTL initiatives had more positive attitudes towards persons with mental health conditions. They were more willing to support their loved ones with mental health conditions and they themselves were more willing to seek help should they have such conditions. This shows we are indeed making good progress but more needs to be done. 

BTL Fest 2024: Let’s Get Talking

5. Over our lifetimes, one in seven Singaporeans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, and so encouraging openness to dialogue on mental health is crucial. Every conversation can change a life. Sometimes a simple "How are you feeling today?", or “How is it going?”, can open doors, build connections, and nudge someone towards seeking the support they need. That is why the overarching theme for this year’s BTL Fest is ‘Let's Get Talking’. We want to encourage persons with mental health conditions to share their stories of strength and resilience to let others know that they are not alone, and that help is available.

6. There are numerous stories that exemplify the power of a supportive community. People diagnosed with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder often face significant challenges with their mental health. However, through counselling and therapy, they develop effective coping skills and find success in their careers. With the backing of supportive employers, these individuals are often able to discuss their mental health challenges openly, inspiring others in their workplace to seek help as well.

7. The experiences of those who have sought help and overcome their struggles reflect a broader truth for many people who have mental health struggles. This underscores the importance of openness and the ability to seek support, particularly in the workplace. It also serves as a reminder that no one should wait until reaching a breaking point before seeking assistance. Reaching out early can make the journey to recovery more manageable. And remember, it’s always okay to ask for support at any stage of your journey.

Catalysing Change through Collective Impact  

8. Today, we are also coming together to recognise the power of collaboration in achieving a common goal. The BTL Collective plays a pivotal role as a convenor within the mental health space, it has driven  partnerships that have led to impactful initiatives. These initiatives have been instrumental in driving the conversation forward and breaking down barriers to mental health support. 

9. For instance, the Collective is partnering organisations including the National University of Singapore, A*STAR and enterprises like Foreword Coffee to spotlight best practices and empower leaders to create inclusive, mentally supportive environments through workshops and dialogues. The Collective itself includes diverse partners such as NCSS, Intellect, TOUCH, Singapore Association for Mental Health, Singapore Anglican Community Services, Singapore National Employers Federation, Workplace Safety and Health Council, Care Corner and the Singapore Mental Health Film Festival. These efforts are aligned to the National Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy to improve literacy and reduce stigma around mental health in workplaces, and to enhance the support for employers in employing persons with mental health conditions. 

10. We are also increasing our outreach to young Singaporeans. The Collective will partner 10 primary schools to pilot a BTL mental wellness talk to increase mental health literacy and encourage help-seeking behaviours among students. 

11. In addition, the BTL Collective will also be partnering 240 youth peer supporters and two institutions of higher learning that are also members of the Workgroup, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic. They will roll out a roadshow to educate youths on the barriers to help-seeking and mental health support in the community. These synergistic efforts highlight the importance of partnership and collaboration in fostering a more inclusive and mentally healthy society.

12. There are now many mental health resources available for Singaporeans, and we are making it even easier for people to navigate these resources. Starting 1 January 2025, current users of Belle, the BTL helpbot will be directed to Mindline.sg, where they can access a self-assessment tool that allow users to be routed to relevant mental health resources and services. You can also access a community forum aptly named ‘Let’s Talk’ through Mindline.sg, and allows users a safe space to have conversations about mental health with like-minded individuals and professional therapists anonymously online. With these resources, help will be just a click away – be it a website, chatbot or an actual person to speak with.  

13. We recognise that everyone has different preferences when it comes to seeking support. For those who appreciate personal interaction, we have introduced in-person services through our Community Outreach Team (CREST) and CHAT. For those who prefer to call or text, the Ministry of Health will be launching the National Mental Health Helpline and Textline in 2025. 

Closing

14. Together, with our partners and the community, we are committed to prioritising mental health. We will empower individuals to seek help without hesitation. However, we cannot do it by ourselves.

15. Each of us has the power to be a catalyst for change. Start by checking in with a friend, family member, or colleague. Listen without judgement and offer your support for the challenges they are going through. Share resources and awareness of mental health. By taking these small steps, we can create a ripple effect of support and understanding in our community around what mental health represents.

16. In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the BTL Organising Committee, venue sponsors Jewel, Changi Airport Group, and all partners for their unwavering support. Once again, thank you very much to the President and Ms Jane Ittogi for supporting this important cause for many years, and many years to come. Together let’s continue this important journey of strengthening the mental health ecosystem in Singapore.

17. Thank you, and let’s get talking!